Paul Atreides
Paul Atreides is an author, playwright, and theatre critic. After more than 30 years in theatre as a
vocation and avocation, he is a former critic and columnist with the Las Vegas Review-Journal. He now writes for EatMoreArtVegas.com. His 10-minute drama, Fusion, was picked up as part of Grief Dialogues: The Experience, which had an October 2024 lab/workshop production at the Grier Studio in New York City. The award- winning film version is in the NYC 9-11 Memorial Museum collection. The Tryst, a short comedy, won its category and placed third overall with Emerald Theatre’s annual short play competition. Phallusies: Demystifying Mars, a two-act comedy covering everything from circumcision to prostate cancer, enjoys sold-out performances wherever it’s produced. He’s served as President of Henderson Writers Group, Coordinator for the Las Vegas Writers Conference, and a two-year term on the UNLV College of Fine Arts Advisory Board. His non-fiction work has appeared in a variety of periodicals such as Nightbeat and Southern Writer’s Magazine. His paranormal humor novels Marvin’s World of Deadheads, Jenna’s Gang of Deadheads, and Nathan’s Clan of Deadheads make up the award-winning World of Deadheads trilogy published through The Wild Rose Press. He’s had several short stories published in anthologies.
www.paul-atreides.com
atreideswriter@bluesky.com
Facebook.com/paulatreides
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The Last Confession
Blurb
The Last Confession, a full-length drama without intermission set in a small chapel, is about the cycle of abuse. The Last Confession goes where Spotlight and Doubt feared to tread and remains timely as the scandals continue to make news. The play centers around BISHOP HARRIS who is being feted for his years of service to the church and diocese. FATHER JAMES SULLIVAN, both a victim and perpetrator, is determined to wrest a confession and demand penance. BISHOP HARRIS is hearing confessions when FATHER SULLIVAN enters concealing a gun behind his back and quietly ushers the stragglers out. As he chains the only doors with a braided-steel cable, an unseen parishioner (LUKE) notices the gun and calls 9-1-1. Sullivan knocks him unconscious and hangs up the phone. He calmly proceeds to ask Harris to accommodate one more.The two begin to debate doctrine and the nature of sin. Father Sullivan refuses to confess until Harris admits to his own crimes. Soon grown weary of the debate, the Bishop insists the discussion is over. Sullivan pulls out the gun, and demands Harris admit to his sins. After regaining consciousness, LUKE, who is gay, inserts himself into the conversation and is shocked when the Bishop admits to his part in the scandals. Having accomplished his goal of both confession and forgiveness, Father Sullivan kills himself. Both Luke and Harris learn that earning true forgiveness, shedding the burden of guilt, takes more than a verbal apology and reciting a prayer, or paying out financial reparations.Containing themes of manipulation, guilt, moral reparation and forgiveness, it has been named Finalist in the New York ITC and the 2023 Carlo Annoni International Competition. If your audiences enjoyed Doubt, Spotlight, The Young Pope, and Conclave, they will love The
Last Confession.